Ski binding

ABSTRACT

Releasable ski binding for precise adjustment of release tension. Binding has a pivotal member and varies radial distance of locking component from pivot point of pivotal member for adjusting release pressure. Further control features if desired may be provided for adjusting tension of spring bearing against locking member.

United States. Patent.

Smolka [4 1 June 20, 1972 [5 1 SKI BINDING 3,201,140 8/1965 Marker ..2s0/11.35 3,463,503 8/1969 [72] Inventor. Thomas G. Smolka, Wren-Mauer, Austria 3,494,220 2,1970 [73] Assignee: Wiener Metallwmnhbrlk Smolkg & 3,406,981 10/1968 Scheib 80/ 1 1.35 T

Company, Wien-Mauer, Austria FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] Filed: July 18, 1969 1,062,155 7/1959 Germany ..280/] 1.35 CB [21] Appl. No.: 842,957 I Primary Examiner-Benjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-Robert R. Song [30] Foreign Applicafion Priority Data Attomey-Woodhams, Blanchard and Flynn July 29, 1968 Austria ..A 7363/68 ABSTRACT 11.8. C1 ..280/1L35 Tv Releasable ski binding precise adjusunem bf release ension. Binding has a pivotal member and varies radial distance [58] Field of ..280/1 1.35 T, l 1.35 CB of locking component from pivot point of pivotal member for adjusting release pressure. Further control features desired [56] Reierenc Clted may be provided for adjusting tension of spring bearing UNITED STATES PATENTS against locking member- 3,194,573 7/1965 Unger ..280/1135 l2 Claims,4DrawingFigures 6 L. Y Z

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PATENTEDJmo m2 3.671 .053

sum 1 or 2 INVENTOR THO/1446' 6' SMOZ/(J SKI BINDING This invention relates to a ski binding which has a pivotal member to be locked in the position of useunder an-adjustable release pressure.

In known ski bindings the release pressure of the locking spring is adjusted by adjusting a screw which stresses the locking spring to the desired amount. A relatively large amount of force is usually required for such an adjustment since the spring pressure must be overcome directly. These locking screws in most cases extend above the binding, that is, they project out from the binding. Because of this, they are not only exposed to damage but they can'also cause serious injury to the skier in case of a fall.

The basic purpose of the invention is to overcome these disadvantages and to produce a binding which meets the usual requirements.

To attain this purpose the invention provides a springloaded locking element, which is advantageously constructed as a ball, supported in a slide plate which adjustably provided along a radial locking groove. Said groove is arranged at the 'pivot point of the pivotal member and is of slot-shaped construction. During an adjustment of the binding, the lever arm provided by the distance from the locking element to the pivot point of the pivotal member is caused to change and thus adjusts the release pressure.

According to a further characteristic of the invention, the slot-shaped locking groove is of at least somewhat varying width. In a preferred embodiment the width decreases constantly in direction of the pivot point of the pivotal member. In moving the slide plate in direction of the pivot point of the pivotal member, the ball progressively emerges from the locking groove and the preset pressure exerted by the spring progressively decreases. This provides a second component to effect adjustment of the release pressure.

According to a particular further development of the invention, for changing the release pressure a third component can be added. This component consists of the slide plate being guided along a plane inclined to the locking groove. In adjusting the slide plate, same changes its distance from the locking groove so that the spring is tensioned or relaxed.

The subject matter of the invention is illustrated in an exemplary embodiment 'in the drawing, in which:

FIGS. I and 2 illustrate a front pivotal jaw, whereby FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line llll of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate two separate modifications, said figures being taken on sections corresponding respectively to FIGS. 2 and l.

As can be recognized from the figures, the illustrated binding comprises a baseplate I on which the pivotal member 2 can pivot about the pivot point 3. When in the position of use, the two members I and 2 are releasably locked to one another. For this purpose a locking groove 4 is provided in the baseplate l which locking groove is arranged slot-shaped and radially to the pivot point 3. A locking ball 5 which is loaded by the spring 6 engages said locking groove 4. The locking ball 5 and the locking spring 6 are supported in a slide plate 7. By rotating the screw 8, the head 9 of which projects slightly above the pivotal member 2, the slide plate 7 is moved along the inclined surface 10 and. through this, the release pressure which is required for a safety release is adjusted.

This change is affected by three components. Different spacing is obtained between the locking ball 5 and the pivot point 3. The smaller. this space, the smaller is the pressure required for the release. Next, as one can recognize particularly from FIG. 2, the width of the slot-shaped locking groove 4 decreases progressively in the direction of the pivot point 3. Therefore, the locking ball 5 is positioned at different depths in the locking groove as it moves from one end thereof to the other. The lower the locking ball is positioned in the locking groove 4, the greater is the pressure at a fixed spring pretension which must be employed forreleasing the locking.

The operation is as follows in the illustrated embodiment. The closer the locking ball 5 is to the pivot point 3, the less is the required release pressure. Due to the fact that the slide plate 7 during an adjustment slides on the inclined plane 10, the distance of the slide plate 7 to the locking groove 4 changes and thus the pretension of the spring 6 changes also. The closer the slide plate 7 is to the pivot point 3, the more is the spring relieved and the less is the release pressure. By means of this construction, the release pressure thus decreases in direction of the pivot point 3 by all three illustrated control features. I

The locking ball 5 is not only supported in the slide plate 7 but is also guided along the sides of a slot 11 which is provided in the pivotal member 2. An additional guiding of the slide plate 7 takes also place in the slot 11 by means of the extensions 12, 13. The adjusted locking pressure can, be read by means of the indicating device which consistsof an indicator 15 which slides in a slot 14 during an adjustment.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

A number of modifications are contemplated which lie within 7 the scope of the invention. The many components in the exemplary embodiment of the invention which effect the release pressure can also be arranged so that they also effect some compensation with respect to each other. For example, the width of the locking groove 4 could increase constantly in direction of the pivot point '3 (FIG. 3). It would also be possi ble that the plane 10 is inclined in the other direction (FIG; 4). From an inspection of said FIGS. 3 and 4, it is obvious that apart from the modifications above referred to,.the structures embodying said modifications are identical to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, the numerals applied'to said FIGS. 3 and 4 are the same numerals as utilized in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the numerals associated with FIG. 3 being single primed and the numerals associated with FIG. 4'being double primed. If the binding is designed so that the three components thus partially compensate for each other, a particularly precise adjustment possibility is thereby achieved.

The basic invention is to support locking elements (ball) in a sleeve which elements are, for the purpose of the adjustment of the release pressure, arranged for displacement in any convenient manner with respect to the pivot point of the pivotal housing. I

The embodiment of the invention in which are exclusive property or privilege is claimedare defined as follows:

1. Ski binding having a pivotal member supported for pivotal movement about a pivot axis'and which is releasably locked in a position of use relative to a ski under an adjustable release pressure, comprising:

means defining a slot-shaped locking groove arranged radi ally of said pivot axis; spring-loaded locking means supported for movement along said locking groove means, said spring-loaded locking means being releasably retained at a selected point along said locking groove means;

one of said slot-shaped locking groove means and said locking means being secured to said pivotal member for pivotal movement therewith, the other of said slot-shaped locking groove means and said locking means being fixed relative to said ski; and means for longitudinally adjusting the radial position of said spring-loaded locking means along said locking groove means to vary the radial spacing of said spring-loaded locking means from said pivot axis and thereby vary the force required to release said ski binding.

2. Ski binding according to claim I, wherein said slot- I shaped locking groove has at least partially varying widths.

3. Ski binding according to claim 2, wherein the width of said slot-shaped locking groove decreases progressively in the direction of the pivot point of said pivotal member.

4. Ski binding according to claim .1 wherein said springloaded locking means includes a slide plate guided on said pivotal member along a plane which is inclined to said locking includes projection means projecting outwardly therefrom and wherein said pivotal member includes slots for receiving said projection means to further guide said slide plate.

6. Ski binding according to claim 1, wherein said springloaded locking means includes a slide plate and further includes stepless adjustable means for steplessly adjusting said relative position between said slide plate and said locking groove.

7. Releasable ski binding including a pivotal member pivotally arranged on a baseplate comprising in combination:

resiliently backed pretensioned locking means coacting between said pivotal member and said baseplate for continuously holding said pivotal member in a predetermined location regardless of the presence or absence of a ski boot;

manually adjustable means for varying the distance between said locking means and the pivot point of said pivotal member; and

means for varying the pretension of said resiliently backed locking means in response to a manual adjustment of said manually adjustable means;

whereby an adjustment of said manually adjustable means will effect a varying of the lever arm by which pivotal movement of said pivotal member is resisted and a varying of the force required to release said binding.

8. Ski binding according to claim 1, wherein said locking means is a ball.

9. Ski binding having a pivotal member supported for pivotal movement about a pivot axis and which is releasably locked in a position of use relative to a ski under an adjustable release pressure, comprising:

means defining an elongated locking wall aligned radially of said pivot axis;

spring-loaded locking means supported for movement along but not transverse to said locking wall means; said springloaded locking means being releasably retained at a selected point along said locking wall means;

one of said elongated locking wall means and said spring loaded locking means being secured to said pivotal member for pivotal movement therewith, the other of said elongated locking wall means and said spring-loaded locking means being fixed relative to said ski; and

means for longitudinally adjustment the radial position of said spring-loaded locking means along said locking wall means to vary the radial spacing of said spring-loaded locking means from said pivot axis and thereby vary the force required to release said ski binding.

10. Ski binding having a pivotal member supported for pivotal movement about a pivot axis and which is releasably locked in a position of use relative to a ski under an adjustable release pressure, comprising:

means defining an elongated locking wall aligned radially of said pivot axis;

locking means releasably retained at a selected point along said locking wall means;

one of said elongated locking wall means and said spring loaded locking means being secured to said pivotal member for pivotal movement therewith, the other of said elongated locking wall means and said spring loaded locking means being fixed relative to said ski;

means supporting one of said locking wall means and said locking means for movement relative to each other radially of said pivot axis; and

resilient means for urging said locking wall means and said locking means together, whereby a relative longitudinal movement between said locking wall means and said locking means will effect a variation of the radial spacing of said one of said locking means and said locking wall means from said pivot axis and thereby vary the force required to release said ski binding.

11. Ski binding according to claim 10, wherein said locking wall is a side wall of a slot-shaped locking groove.

12. Ski binding according to claim 1, wherein said slotshaped locking groove means includes a baseplate fixedly:

secured to said ski; and

wherein said sprlng loaded locking means is secured to said UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CQRRECTION Patent No. 3 671 053 Dated June 20 1972 Inventor) Thomas G. Smolka It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 35; change "means;" to -means,--.

Column 4, line 3; change "adjiistment" to -adjust ing-.

Signed and sealed this 5thv day of December 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR; ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 1 FORM (0459) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 U.5. GOVERNMENT PRINYING OFFICE I 969 0-356'334 

1. Ski binding having a pivotal member supported for pivotal movement about a pivot axis and which is releasably locked in a position of use relative to a ski under an adjustable release pressure, comprising: means defining a slot-shaped locking groove arranged radially of said pivot axis; spring-loaded locking means supported for movement along said locking groove means, said sprinG-loaded locking means being releasably retained at a selected point along said locking groove means; one of said slot-shaped locking groove means and said locking means being secured to said pivotal member for pivotal movement therewith, the other of said slot-shaped locking groove means and said locking means being fixed relative to said ski; and means for longitudinally adjusting the radial position of said spring-loaded locking means along said locking groove means to vary the radial spacing of said spring-loaded locking means from said pivot axis and thereby vary the force required to release said ski binding.
 2. Ski binding according to claim 1, wherein said slot-shaped locking groove has at least partially varying widths.
 3. Ski binding according to claim 2, wherein the width of said slot-shaped locking groove decreases progressively in the direction of the pivot point of said pivotal member.
 4. Ski binding according to claim 1 wherein said spring-loaded locking means includes a slide plate guided on said pivotal member along a plane which is inclined to said locking groove.
 5. Ski binding according to claim 4, wherein said slide plate includes projection means projecting outwardly therefrom and wherein said pivotal member includes slots for receiving said projection means to further guide said slide plate.
 6. Ski binding according to claim 1, wherein said spring-loaded locking means includes a slide plate and further includes stepless adjustable means for steplessly adjusting said relative position between said slide plate and said locking groove.
 7. Releasable ski binding including a pivotal member pivotally arranged on a baseplate comprising in combination: resiliently backed pretensioned locking means coacting between said pivotal member and said baseplate for continuously holding said pivotal member in a predetermined location regardless of the presence or absence of a ski boot; manually adjustable means for varying the distance between said locking means and the pivot point of said pivotal member; and means for varying the pretension of said resiliently backed locking means in response to a manual adjustment of said manually adjustable means; whereby an adjustment of said manually adjustable means will effect a varying of the lever arm by which pivotal movement of said pivotal member is resisted and a varying of the force required to release said binding.
 8. Ski binding according to claim 1, wherein said locking means is a ball.
 9. Ski binding having a pivotal member supported for pivotal movement about a pivot axis and which is releasably locked in a position of use relative to a ski under an adjustable release pressure, comprising: means defining an elongated locking wall aligned radially of said pivot axis; spring-loaded locking means supported for movement along but not transverse to said locking wall means; said spring-loaded locking means being releasably retained at a selected point along said locking wall means; one of said elongated locking wall means and said spring loaded locking means being secured to said pivotal member for pivotal movement therewith, the other of said elongated locking wall means and said spring-loaded locking means being fixed relative to said ski; and means for longitudinally adjustment the radial position of said spring-loaded locking means along said locking wall means to vary the radial spacing of said spring-loaded locking means from said pivot axis and thereby vary the force required to release said ski binding.
 10. Ski binding having a pivotal member supported for pivotal movement about a pivot axis and which is releasably locked in a position of use relative to a ski under an adjustable release pressure, comprising: means defining an elongated locking wall aligned radially of said pivot axis; locking means releasably retained at a selected point along said locking wall means; one of said elongated locking waLl means and said spring loaded locking means being secured to said pivotal member for pivotal movement therewith, the other of said elongated locking wall means and said spring loaded locking means being fixed relative to said ski; means supporting one of said locking wall means and said locking means for movement relative to each other radially of said pivot axis; and resilient means for urging said locking wall means and said locking means together, whereby a relative longitudinal movement between said locking wall means and said locking means will effect a variation of the radial spacing of said one of said locking means and said locking wall means from said pivot axis and thereby vary the force required to release said ski binding.
 11. Ski binding according to claim 10, wherein said locking wall is a side wall of a slot-shaped locking groove.
 12. Ski binding according to claim 1, wherein said slot-shaped locking groove means includes a baseplate fixedly secured to said ski; and wherein said spring loaded locking means is secured to said pivotal member for movement therewith; and including means pivotally securing said pivotal member to said baseplate. 